QNA WITH SRI SRI
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

Q: What is better, doing one’s daily spiritual practices, or doing smarana (remembering God), or just observing the thoughts as they come and go?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You shouldn’t split it like that. What we do when we sit for meditation is we keep thinking about work. And when we are working, we want to go and rest. When you’re working give your 100%, and when you sit for meditation, just relax and retire. When you work, don’t worry about what is happening in your mind.

When your meditation matures it transforms into a state where a depth of silence and peace continues to exist even in activity. It is not a practice, it is a by-product.

http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU ONE LINER OF THE DAY
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

Q: Many a times I repeat this ‘Who am I?’ , it is not leading me anywhere.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You are on the right track. If it had given you some answer then I would have been worried!

http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/

WISDOM QUOTE OF THE DAY
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 2015

When you respect someone, it only shows your own magnanimity. How many people you don't respect in the world, that much less is your wealth. If you respect everyone in the world, that much more is your value. Wiser is the one who respects everyone. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/

@SriSri tweets

@SriSri's Tour Schedule: 1 Oct http://aolu.co/1MFydwl 

KNOWLEDGE SHEET BY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

KNOWING AND THE KNOWER

Knowing is the distance between the subject and the object. Often people make God as the object of knowing. They try to know God. God is not an object to be known, it is the knower himself, and that is what science is, and that is what spirituality is.

The distinction between the object of knowing and the knower is removed in quantum physics. And this is what is exactly what he (Lord Krishna) meant. We saw how an object and the quality of an object are inseparable.

So Lord Krishna said in Bhagavad Gita, 'I am the fluidity in the fluid. I am the fragrance in the Earth element, I am the strength in the strong'.

http://knowledgesheet.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU PUNCH OF THE DAY
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Dispassion to small things will take you higher to bigger things. The Knowledge of the End of our Journey brings certain Freedom, Relaxation. That is called Dispassion. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/

@SriSri Tweets

QNA WITH SRI SRI
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Q: According to you what is easier, becoming a Guru or or becoming a disciple?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Easy or difficult is just a concept. Anything is difficult when you don’t have energy, anything is easy when you are full of enthusiasm and energy.

You ask someone who is sick and tired, ‘Do you want to walk a mile?’ They will say, ‘Oh, it is so difficult.’

You ask a young person who is full of energy and enthusiasm, ‘Do you want to walk one kilometer?' They will say, 'I will run 10 kilometers!’ You want to stretch yourself beyond your capabilities and limits only when you have energy, when you’re vibrant and enthusiastic. When you’re enthusiastic you are automatically a disciple because you want to know more, and when you’re enthusiastic you’re automatically a Guru because you want to share what you know and care for others.

When you’re sick and tired of everybody, when you can’t care for others, how can you be a Guru for others? So, it all depends on your energy level. This need not be only physical energy. You cannot say, ‘Oh, I am 70 years old and now I don’t have the energy.’ No!

The physical energy has nothing to do with your enthusiasm! You can be physically sick but mentally alert. This is when you can be both a Guru and a disciple, and both will be easy for you. I know people who are 80-90 and who are so enthusiastic. They ask me ‘What seva can I do?’ I say, ‘You just sit and bless people!’

Young people don’t say, 'What seva can I do', but the elderly come and tell me, 'I want to do some seva'. Physically they can’t do much, but the intention to do more indicates how youthful they are.
It is the youthfulness of your spirit that determines whether something is difficult or something is easy. So, if the spirit in you is youthful then you are an eternal disciple, and an eternal teacher too.

http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU ONE LINER OF THE DAY
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

Q: I can’t handle people’s arrogance. What wrong have I done that I am a victim to their arrogance? Is there something lacking in me?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: No, don’t be too hard on yourself. Just wake up.

http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/

WISDOM QUOTE OF THE DAY
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2015

To ensure that another does not commit a mistake, or be driven to make a mistake, is also a sattvic quality. This quality must be present in all of us. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/

WISDOM FROM SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2015

You Are Responsible For Your Own Happiness

If you are sensitive and your intention is not to hurt anybody, that is good enough. But sometimes in spite of you being so cautious, some people get hurt. There is nothing that you can do about it. Some people feel that anything you say will hurt them. You compliment them and they think you are taunting them. You give them an honest feedback and they think that you are cruel and rude.

So there are some people who are in that mindset, they may feel upset anyway.

If you invite them for a party, they are unhappy because they think you are showing off. If you don’t invite them then of course, they feel that you don’t care for them. What do you do! So, you don’t worry about it. They have to deal with their hurt.

From your side, you don’t use harsh words. From your side be courteous. From your side be caring. That is all you can do. Don’t worry about what is going on in their minds because there are millions of people around and their minds are all going in different directions. You have no say over it. You cannot make everybody happy.

If two people don’t like each other and you talk to one of them, the other becomes your enemy automatically! If you are simply talking to one person, that can irritate somebody else because you spoke to them. And that is what is happening in the world today.

What is happening in Gaza? If you show sympathy for Gaza, or say something about it like, 'Oh it is wrong, so many children are dying', then Israel will get upset with you. And if you say, 'Israel is right', then Gaza will get upset about you. What do you do? That is why in this world you can’t make everyone happy. You listen to your conscience and see that to the maximum extent, from your side you have no intention to hurt anybody. That is good enough. You cannot be a football of so many people’s emotions and feelings; what they feel, what they don’t feel.

There is a saying in Sanskrit, 'There is no giver of happiness of misery. You create your own happiness and you become miserable on your own, and nobody can stop you from being miserable'.

Jai Gurudev Dear Ones,

V Happy to share that Bangalore Ashram official app was launched today in satsang in presence of Gurudev.

You can now connect to Bangalore Ashram anytime from your smart phone!!

Launching the Bangalore Ashram App for Android and for every other phone that has a browser :))

This app gives you all the information that will keep you connected with ashram from anywhere!

It has information from Must see places in ashram , Facilities offered in ashram, Programs in ashram, Ashram directory of all department and the most interesting feature is the ashram virtual tour that allows you to have a walk through of the entire ashram from your smart phone!

Download the app now and share it with your friends!

Android App |  For any Smart Phone  with a browser 

Poor Respect For Teaching Profession A Reason For Falling Education Standards: Sri Sri Ravi Shanka http://aolu.co/1KJ4dMr  #ArtofLiving

Pvt Schools Must Reserve 25% Seats For Poor: Sri Sri http://aolu.co/1jpbECK  #ArtofLiving

@SriSri Tweets

KNOWLEDGE SHEET BY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2015

FAITH IS AN IMPORTANT FACTOR

Krishna says in Bhagvad Gita: 'Wherever one has faith, and whomsoever one has faith on, that faith is given by me'. It is the self which translates itself into faith. Faith comes from the self. So he says, 'I am the one who is giving you faith'. This is similar to what I say, even love is a gift. If you feel love for someone, don't think you can take credit for it. If you are in love with somebody, that is also a gift. Joy is a gift, time is a gift; almost everything in life is a gift, or a blessing.

Further Krishna says: 'I have given faith, and with the faith that I have given a person engages in worship, and through this worship he attains his desires. And this is ordained by me. I have ordained this natural law'.

See, doctors give you medicine, but suppose you don't have faith in the doctor, will you take that medicine? No you won't. And even if you do take it without having faith, will it work? No, it will not work. Faith is a factor in every function. Any function, anything you do, faith is an important factor.

http://knowledgesheet.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU PUNCH OF THE DAY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2015

Why someone is not doing some service activity? Maybe they are stressed, they are tensed. So, if you are unhappy yourself, you won’t be motivated to do something for someone else. So, first you have to find the peace. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/

QNA WITH SRI SRI
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2015

Q: I am getting married soon but I have this one botheration. For the past 6 months I have had many fights with my fiancé and I am not sure if I should continue this relationship.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Now, you stop demanding love from the person. If you demand love or ask proof of their love, you are destroying it. How can someone prove their love to you? You should not burden the person.

Suppose, someone asks you every day, ‘Are you honest; Are you honest?’ What will you feel? Bad right? Similarly, if you keep asking someone, ‘Do you really love me?’ How will the person feel?

The burden to prove one’s love is a very big. Your fiancé is coming to you to find comfort, and instead of giving the person comfort, you make him miserable. You should stop demanding love. Love should be given and not demanded.

Take it for granted that we you both have good understanding and then understanding will grow. If you question or doubt the understanding, it will start crumbling. All these things are stupid things to do.

Your feelings need not be the football of others opinions. You should be independent of the way you feel.

When you feel his attention towards you has reduced, just say, ‘I know you love me too much. Why do you love me so much!’ Then the person will feel better and their whole tone will change to the way you want it to be.

Isn’t that want you want to hear? For that you should not blame the other. When you throw blame, blame will come back to you. If you show humility and throw compliments on the other person, that will bounce back to you.

Always give compliments and you will see that comes back to you many folds, and if you throw blame, it will come back to you. This is the law of attraction. Whatever you throw bounces back onto you.

http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU ONE LINER OF THE DAY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2015

Q: What is the connection between mind and aura?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Aura is just the reflection of the mind. That is it.

http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/

WISDOM QUOTE OF THE DAY
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 2015

If your difficulties appear to be very big, lift your eyes because you are only focused on yourself. If you lift your eyes up and look at those who are in a worse condition than you, you will suddenly feel that your burden is not as bad as you thought it was. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/

QNA WITH SRI SRI
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015

Q: Please tell us about “Mahaveer”. How can someone who is non-violent and who meditates be called a great warrior?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: In the word Mahaveer, veer means warrior, and the word warrior comes from the Sanskrit root veera. Mahaveer (a great warrior) is a title given not only to people who fight, win and succeed, but also to people who are in deep meditation.

There is turmoil in the inner world (referring to the mind) as much as there is turmoil in the outer world. There are more conflicts inside you than what you can find outside in the world.

The world is made up of five elements and they are all in conflict; conflict is their nature. Fire and water are never friendly; fire evaporates water and water extinguishes fire. Similarly, air can put off fire and it is only because of air that fire can exist, and it is fire that can split air. And, Earth is affected by all the three elements; fire, water and air.

Similarly, there is conflict world over. Inside you, the heart and mind are in a conflict. The heart is compassionate but the mind is logical and reasons everything. When the mind says, "This is right to do", the heart doesn’t want to do it. When the heart wants to do something, the mind says, "This is no good". The fight between mind and heart, likes and dislikes bother you. These are storms that get created inside you and don’t let your mind be at peace.
If there is nothing for you to worry about, then you worry about your neighbours, friends and family. Worry, conflict, sadness, unhappiness, all these emotions pose a great challenge for meditation to happen and do not let you be at peace. When you are peaceful and happy for few moments, something comes up and it destroys your peace. There are hundred and one reasons for you to be miserable, and if you’re not intelligent, your mind makes up thousand and one reasons to be unhappy. Sometimes you are unhappy because there is conflict, and sometimes you are unhappy just because you have lost your peace of mind. This continues throughout life.

In meditation a million things can come up, but if you raise your head above all these conflicts, and feel unmindful of it, not questioning why they have come, it makes you go deep in your meditation. By thinking why these bad thoughts are coming, you are being party to the conflict, and this makes you weak. Let them come and go. You think that you have nothing to do with it. This is the strategy to win over inner conflict. When inner conflict arises, this strategy is there to remind you that you are much more powerful and much bigger than the conflict. Then you rise above it, flying above the clouds, piercing through them and reaching the clear sky.

Similarly, sit still in your inner space, unmindful of any conflict, any thought or emotion. If they come, let them come and go, and when you think, "I don’t care about how I feel", then that will give you the strength.

You have to stand up against the inner conflict and fight it. The world doesn’t care how you feel; the world is only interested in what you have done and what you are doing. One day you may feel good and another day you may not feel so good. Feelings go up and down but the world will only ask you, "What good have you done, and how have you contributed to the world?"
All the ancient wise men and women have asked, "When will we wake up from this maya? This is all an illusion. It appears to be something but in reality it is not that. And winning over maya is being a mahaveer (a great warrior). You can win over people outside, but when you can win over the turmoil inside and be still and keep a smile, then you are a great warrior, and that requires valour.

http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/

hAPPY GUNNERS DAY ; ARTILLERY : GOD OF WAR

KNOWLEDGE SHEET BY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015

WOMEN EMPOWERMENT

Women should feel empowered, they should never feel like a victim.

When you feel like a victim, you lose energy, you lose enthusiasm and you lose power. The spiritual path is where you get rid of both, victim consciousness and culprit consciousness.

As a victim you remain in the small mind and you can never reach the self. As a culprit also the same thing happens, you come into doership and you can’t reach the self. So stop blaming yourself and start praising because praising is a divine quality. So stop being a victim. Don’t think that you being a lady are being discriminated against.Nobody can do anything if you stand up! You have all the power to stand up and ascertain your rights. Of course we need to bring a lot of change in the society. But you can do that without having to feel that you are a victim.

http://knowledgesheet.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU PUNCH OF THE DAY
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015

In any relationship, be a giver of strength. You can do this only when you are strong. When you are emotionally dependent on somebody and you keep asking them if they really love you, even if they had any love, it will just drain away. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU ONE LINER OF THE DAY
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015

Q: Sahaj Samadhi is often called as meditation. What is the difference between Samadhi and meditation?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Meditation is the process and Samadhi is the result. Meditation is the doorstep or portico of a home and Samadhi is what’s inside the house.

http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/

WISDOM QUOTE OF THE DAY
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2015

If the power that you have been given is put to good use, to serve, it brings you satisfaction and happiness. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/

@SriSri explains the deeper meaning of ‘Annadata Sukhi Bhava'! Launching the new section: http://aolu.co/PrayBeforeMeals 

@SriSri tweet

Guru is Like a Mirror http://knowledgesheet.artoflivinguniverse.org/2015/09/guru-is-like-mirror.html 

KNOWLEDGE SHEET BY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

GURU IS LIKE A MIRROR

The consciousness and the universe loves one who is wise and the wise loves the universe.

Seeing this whole universe as made up of just one thing is exactly what Vedanta is. This is called advaita siddhi, perfection of the knowledge of advaita, i.e., when your intention and the nature’s intention is one, not two. You become one with the nature to reflect nature and that is what a Guru is.

Guru is like a mirror, he reflects you, he reflects the time, he reflects the space.

http://knowledgesheet.artoflivinguniverse.org/

Guru Punch of the day http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/2015/09/guru-punch-of-day_26.html

GURU PUNCH OF THE DAY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

Everyone likes someone who is strong. You want people to like you and love you, but how will people like or love you when you are so weak and wiggly inside? - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/

Watch the live telecast and webcast of Eduvision 2020 today at 4:30 pm IST. Gurudev will impart his vision on developing quality education by incorporating spirituality!

Live Telecast on Anandam TV (Dish TV channel 750)

Live webcast on www.anandamlive.com and www.artofliving.org/webcast

The Guru Tattva is present everywhere at all times. There can be no progress without a Guru! http://www.artofliving.org/in-en/wisdom-q-a-25-may-2015-qa-1 …

QnA with Sri Sri http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/2015/09/qna-with-sri-sri_26.html

QNA WITH SRI SRI
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

Q: Where should we direct our energy during silence? Where does the attention go when we walk outside?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Two things: Observe the nature, second is, observe yourself, your own breath, your own body. And do it with least amount of effort. Don’t use too much effort. Okay? Just a gentle awareness is good enough; some people put so much effort doing it. Then they get headaches, they get so tired. We shouldn’t do that. The whole process is effortless, sadhana is totally effortless. The only effort you need to put here is to make sure you don’t eat too much food. If it is too tasty, inform the kitchen. Ask them to make it less tasty. That’s the problem, the food is too tasty then you feel like having one more, one more. If you don’t eat too much, then you are on the safe side. Too much food makes you feel dull. Meditation doesn’t happen then. Moderation, don’t fast also, just the right amount of food.

http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/

Guru One Liner of the day http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/2015/09/guru-one-liner-of-day_26.html

GURU ONE LINER OF THE DAY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

Q: What the veil on the soul that is inside us?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: The veil of ignorance. The veil of Narrow-mindedness.

http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/

Wisdom Quote of the day http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/2015/09/wisdom-quote-of-day_26.html

WISDOM QUOTE OF THE DAY
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 2015

When you feel very lazy and laid back and completely overtaken by inertia, then you should know you are a leader. And when you are all worked up, and you are so tensed and feel the burden of responsibility, know that you are just nobody. Forget that you are a leader. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/

Scientists say, if you meditate for eight weeks, the structure of the brain changes. More: https://www.facebook.com/AOLUniverse/photos/a.157877484236715.33042.154033551287775/1058211854203269/ …

@Sri Sri Tweet

KNOWLEDGE SHEET BY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

WHAT TO LEARN FROM HUMANS

Humanity! From human beings we can learn two things:

1.What we must do

2. What we must not do

We can learn about the different kinds of animals and birds, we can also learn what we must do from animal and birds, but we cannot learn what not to do from them. Animal and birds cannot teach us what we must not do because they violate nature. It is human beings who violate nature and then get into trouble. So when you see another person falling in the ditch, they are teaching you to be alert so that you do not fall in the ditch. So what not to do is taught by human beings and that is why human being are considered most superior.

There is an old saying in Sanskrit, 'Durjanam prathamam vande, sujanam tadanantaram'.

You must first salute the bad person and then salute the good person. Why? This is because the bad person is teaching you a lesson at his own cost: 'Don't do what I did, otherwise you will also go through the same trouble as I am going through'.

So, salute everyone, whether the person is your enemy or your friend.

http://knowledgesheet.artoflivinguniverse.org/

Stop Dengue, Act Now! http://aolu.co/1PBoc3U  #ArtofLiving

GURU PUNCH OF THE DAY
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

You can win over people outside, but when you can win over the turmoil inside and be still and keep a smile, then you are a great warrior, and that requires valor. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/

QNA WITH SRI SRI
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

Q: How to deal with the fact that one didn’t get any support from the family. My mother was against her children. I try to find a way in life for twenty years and it doesn’t seem to be possible.
...
Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know, your mother and father have been a doorway for you to enter onto this planet. So, you have come through the doorway. Thank the doorway, honor the doorway, but don’t go on putting all the blame on them. Don’t blame them. They had only that much knowledge, that much love. They gave that much. If you have more knowledge, more love, you give it to others. Why say: Why didn’t my mother love me? She had her own problems, she must be blocked with so much worry and tension. She was not as privileged as you are. You know, you are much more privileged, because you got this knowledge. You had a chance to know what true love is. Not everybody has this opportunity. Isn’t it? So, just have compassion for her. Suppose, if she also had same knowledge just like you, and has been so sensitive towards her children, she would have expressed it. If she lacks sensitivity, she couldn’t express love, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have it. So, have compassion for her. You know, there are four attitudes:

*friendliness for people who are happy,
*compassion for those who are miserable,
*happiness for those who are doing good work,
*indifference with those who are doing bad work, bad things in life.

With this attitude our mind is saved. The most important thing is to save your mind at all cost. Remember that. We hear all the slogans, save the environment, save water, food, earth, trees. Nobody talks about saving your mind.

Your mind is being bombarded by so many things around, so many stimuli, so many things from every side. And gets into a mess and keeps reeling. Just wake up and see what is in life? It is nothing. What do you do? You take a paid job, you earn money all day, come home, spend money on weekends. That’s it. And have fights, love, then fight again, and then you die. Life is finished. And you don’t even get bored, because it is so boring. You don’t even realize it is so boring, because you haven’t seen anything better. If there is anything better and that is all you see, that is what you will do. There is nothing better in life to do, no goal, nothing.

You feel such pity, ‘Oh my God, what a waste of human life.’ This human body has been given to us, we have attained this body to know, to realize something stupendous, something much bigger, something deeper, something vast. If we are not introduced to the vast space within us, if we don’t know about it - what kind of a life is it then? It is a baseless life. There is no support, no base. Isn’t it?
Spirituality is what gives you depth, which gives depth to life, which makes life vast, which gives you direction, which can eliminate all the sorrow and suffering and bring you fulfilment and joy. Isn’t it?
You know, we must realize how fortunate we all are. We are very fortunate. What we have to be concerned about is about people being happy and that they get the knowledge and the depth in their lives.

Aggression is not our nature. We don’t do anything aggressively. We gently keep enlightening people as we walk along our own path. There are so many people who are longing for this knowledge.

http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/

QNA WITH SRI SRI
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

Q: How to deal with the fact that one didn’t get any support from the family. My mother was against her children. I try to find a way in life for twenty years and it doesn’t seem to be possible.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: You know, your mother and father have been a doorway for you to enter onto this planet. So, you have come through the doorway. Thank the doorway, honor the doorway, but don’t go on putting all the blame on them. Don’t blame them. They had only that much knowledge, that much love. They gave that much. If you have more knowledge, more love, you give it to others. Why say: Why didn’t my mother love me? She had her own problems, she must be blocked with so much worry and tension. She was not as privileged as you are. You know, you are much more privileged, because you got this knowledge. You had a chance to know what true love is. Not everybody has this opportunity. Isn’t it? So, just have compassion for her. Suppose, if she also had same knowledge just like you, and has been so sensitive towards her children, she would have expressed it. If she lacks sensitivity, she couldn’t express love, that doesn’t mean she doesn’t have it. So, have compassion for her. You know, there are four attitudes:

*friendliness for people who are happy,
*compassion for those who are miserable,
*happiness for those who are doing good work,
*indifference with those who are doing bad work, bad things in life.

With this attitude our mind is saved. The most important thing is to save your mind at all cost. Remember that. We hear all the slogans, save the environment, save water, food, earth, trees. Nobody talks about saving your mind.

Your mind is being bombarded by so many things around, so many stimuli, so many things from every side. And gets into a mess and keeps reeling. Just wake up and see what is in life? It is nothing. What do you do? You take a paid job, you earn money all day, come home, spend money on weekends. That’s it. And have fights, love, then fight again, and then you die. Life is finished. And you don’t even get bored, because it is so boring. You don’t even realize it is so boring, because you haven’t seen anything better. If there is anything better and that is all you see, that is what you will do. There is nothing better in life to do, no goal, nothing.

You feel such pity, ‘Oh my God, what a waste of human life.’ This human body has been given to us, we have attained this body to know, to realize something stupendous, something much bigger, something deeper, something vast. If we are not introduced to the vast space within us, if we don’t know about it - what kind of a life is it then? It is a baseless life. There is no support, no base. Isn’t it?
Spirituality is what gives you depth, which gives depth to life, which makes life vast, which gives you direction, which can eliminate all the sorrow and suffering and bring you fulfilment and joy. Isn’t it?
You know, we must realize how fortunate we all are. We are very fortunate. What we have to be concerned about is about people being happy and that they get the knowledge and the depth in their lives.

Aggression is not our nature. We don’t do anything aggressively. We gently keep enlightening people as we walk along our own path. There are so many people who are longing for this knowledge.

http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/

Guru One Liner of the day http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/2015/09/guru-one-liner-of-day_25.html

GURU ONE LINER OF THE DAY
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

Q: Is enlightenment sudden or gradual?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Both.

http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/

Wisdom Quote of the day http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/2015/09/wisdom-quote-of-day_25.html

WISDOM QUOTE OF THE DAY
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 2015

Both sleep and meditation refresh us but meditation can free us from past impressions. With regular practice of meditation, we are able to shake off our emotional garbage stored in our mind for years and feel rejuvenated. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/

@SriSri tweets

Zucchini Burrito http://vegrecipes.artoflivinguniverse.org/2015/09/zucchini-burrito_24.html

Jai Gurudev!

Live Now: Ethics in Sports Symposium from Berlin!

https://livestream.com/webcast/wfeb

Details of event: http://wfeb.org/

KNOWLEDGE SHEET BY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

BEST WAY TO DEAL WITH ANY KIND OF INJUSTICE

Sometimes what you think as injustice may not be so from the other person’s point of view. It may not be injustice at all.

You need to stand up against injustice, but with wisdom and with awareness, because everyone who gets annoyed or angry they will always say, 'I am resisting the injustice'.

Behind the flame of anger, there is a cry for justice, or a demand for justice. But when you analyze, go deep into it, it may not be correct at all. It may not be right at all.
So that is why I would say, you should first analyze from a calm mind, and then take a stand against injustice.

http://knowledgesheet.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU PUNCH OF THE DAY
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

If people get over this emotional turbulence, if they don’t succumb to it and waste time, the world would be a much better place, and we can save trillions of dollars. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/

QNA WITH SRI SRI
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Q: What is the most important gift you are blessing me and the world with?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: If you go to the pharmacist and ask him: ‘Give me the best medicine’, what will he say? ‘I have the best medicine, but for what disease?’ Isn’t it?

Similarly, this knowledge gives you everything that you need. You have a headache, you have the best medicine. You have a leg ache, you have the best medicine. You have an ear ache, a heart ache, the best medicine is available to you.

When you are determined to be useful to people, useful in anyway, you don’t have to ask: just be useful. Do whatever is needed whenever, and you will be useful for that purpose. I would always say that this knowledge in the Art of Living is like an ocean. If someone wants to just walk by it, take fresh air, they are welcome. Someone wants to swim in the ocean, they are welcome. Some others will take salt out of the ocean, yes. Some others want to dig deep and take oil, you are most welcome. Someone goes for fishing; take a few fishes, fine. Some others go and find all that precious stones, gems, it’s your choice. All is available here and what you make out of it, how you use it, is entirely up to you.

http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU ONE LINER OF THE DAY
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Q: Why is Bhakti Yoga considered to be above all Yogas?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It’s more juicy and easy. So anything that is juicy, easy and much quicker to attain people love it. Because people want to do less and accomplish more. This is the tendency of intelligent people!

http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/

WISDOM QUOTE OF THE DAY
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 2015

Setting an ideal for another to follow and not inducing guilt in them - this is a skill, an art. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/

QNA WITH SRI SRI
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Q: My friends expect me to drive them with my car, but then they drink. They look at me differently. I don’t understand why.

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: It’s very difficult to understand people’s minds. So, you better give up. They themselves don’t understand their mind, so how can you understand their mind? Do you understand your own mind?

The most unreliable thing in your life is your own mind. One minute, it likes something, another minute it likes something else. So, your mind goes all over the place. So, you cannot rely on your own mind. Once you know this, you will laugh, you will smile. Never mind: why should I control someone else’s mind when my mind itself is not under my control? Isn’t it?

Our mind is a multi-channel television. You know, there are so many channels: the horror channel, history channel, discovery channel, news channel and then there is a cartoon channel. All is happening!

A poet from Karnataka (a state in South India) wrote a very nice couplet about the mind. He said: The mind is like a forest, with so many animals in it. There are nightingales that sing very sweetly and there are crows, and there are tigers, lions and there are mosquitoes. The same way, your mind is a forest.

It’s amazing, just to watch what our mind says. Nobody’s mind is in their control, we shouldn’t expect everyone to behave like an enlightened person. Unfortunately, that is what we do. We want everyone to be perfect. The world always considers you, sees you, much better than what you are. And even the people don’t see you the way you are, or the way you are not. Never mind, why do you have to bother about it?

http://qnawithsrisri.artoflivinguniverse.org/

KNOWLEDGE SHEET BY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

DESIRE IS THE SOURCE OF CREATION

This entire creation is motivated, sustained or produced by desire. It is desire that sustains this creation, isn't it? It is the desire to reproduce, the desire to survive, the desire to grow, which is quite natural.

If you don't have the desire to eat, and have no appetite, then there is no survival. If birds don't have the desire to fly, if butterflies don't have the desire to pollinate, then the creation will be dead. There is desire in every little action of creation, and creation is full of action. And there is action happening at many levels of this creation.

Desire is the source of creation, and it is the source of sustenance. And it is not against dharma, or the law of nature.

http://knowledgesheet.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU PUNCH OF THE DAY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

One day you may feel good and another day you may not feel so good. Feelings go up and down but the world will only ask you, "What good have you done, and how have you contributed to the world?" - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU ONE LINER OF THE DAY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Q: How to achieve total fearlessness?

Sri Sri Ravi Shankar: Read Patanjali Yoga Sutra. It says even in the most wise, that which lingers on is fear. Nature has kept that somewhere. And it is the deep sense of belongingness, love, dedication, a sense of wanting to sacrifice, all this will help one to overcome fear.

http://guruoneliners.artoflivinguniverse.org/

WISDOM QUOTE OF THE DAY
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 23, 2015

Good leaders are the ones who bring enthusiasm, happiness, energy, and encourage others to move ahead. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://srisriravishankarquotes.artoflivinguniverse.org/

@SriSri tweet

KNOWLEDGE SHEET BY SRI SRI RAVI SHANKAR
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

NEVER LABEL THE WORLD

In the world there are all kinds of people. Don’t blame or label the whole world as selfish. That is not fair.

You know, there are good people on the planet. In fact, in big numbers. The cheats are only a small number.

Suppose if you are also branded as one of those unkind, ruthless, and selfish persons, would you like to accept that label?

Ask yourself; ask your heart, your mind. No! You find that you are very good, you are very kind, but everybody else is bad? That is not correct. Got it?

In this world, there are good people and there are people who do not express goodness. That is all. But even they are good. There is no bad creature on this planet. Everyone, intrinsically is good.

If you go talk to the worst criminals in the prison, you will see in their eyes that they are also good human beings. Somewhere they erred, somewhere they made a mistake. Even the worst terrorist, if you go and meet them, you will see, inside of them, a good human being is hiding.

If you see through my eyes, there are no bad people on the planet. There are people who express goodness and there are people whose goodness is covered, and is not being expressed. That is all. You can help them uncover their goodness. You can help them express their goodness. That is how you should see the world.

Never label the world as bad people. Then your attitude towards the world will also be very bad.

http://knowledgesheet.artoflivinguniverse.org/

GURU PUNCH OF THE DAY
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 2015

You have to stand up against the inner conflict and fight it. The world doesn’t care how you feel; the world is only interested in what you have done and what you are doing. - Sri Sri Ravi Shankar

http://gurupunch.artoflivinguniverse.org/